FAQs

• How do I file a complaint or compliment on an employee of the police department?

  Complaints may be registered at the Police Department or City Hall with City Commissioners or other authorized individuals. Complainants are asked to complete a complaint form that includes a sworn statement of the facts known to the person at the time the complaint was made.
  
  Click here to download the Citizen Complaint Form.

• How can I get a copy of a Police report?

  The Lakeland Police Department maintains police reports and records for our agency only. 

  Requests for copies of a police report or traffic crash report should be directed to:

  Lakeland Police Department
  Records Section
  219 N Massachusetts Ave
  Lakeland, FL 33801
  863.834.6936

  LPD records requests will be processed in accordance with the Florida Public Records Act. A fee will be charged for copies of all reports or information requested.

• Can I call the Lakeland Police Department to report a problem and still remain anonymous?

  There are several ways you can contact the Lakeland Police Department to report a problem and remain anonymous: 

  • Contact Lakeland Police Communications at 863.834.6900
  • Submit a tip online at tips@lakelandgov.net
  • Submit a tip on a cold case at coldcasetips@lakelandgov.net
  • Call the tips hotline at 863.834.2549
  • Contact Heartland Crime Stoppers at 800.226.8477 or heartlandcrimestoppers.com
• How can I get an Injunction For Protection Against Domestic Violence?

  You can petition the court for an Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence by going to the Clerk of Court, Domestic Violence Department, 1st Floor, Polk County Courthouse in Bartow. For more information, visit polkcountyclerk.net/Domestic-Violence.

• How and when do I report suspicious activity?

  The police department cannot be everywhere all the time; that is why we depend on our citizens to contact us when they see suspicious activity in their area.

  If you encounter suspicious activity in your neighborhood, DO NOT take any action yourself, contact the Lakeland Police Department.

  You can report suspicious activity several ways:

  • Contact Lakeland Police Communications Section at 863.834.6900
  • Submit a tip online at tips@lakelandgov.net 
  • Call the tips hotline at 863.834.2549
    
    
    
• Where do I pay a traffic citation?

  Traffic citations received from the Lakeland Police Department are processed through the Polk Clerk of County Courts.

  For information on how to settle your traffic citation, or to contact the Clerk of County Courts, go to: polkcountyclerk.net/Traffic-Tickets.

• Why do 9-1-1 operators ask so many questions?

  9-1-1 call-takers are trained to ask a series of questions designed to allow them to “see” what is happening at the scene in order to accomplish three essential tasks.

  First, they want to ensure the proper resources are dispatched to the emergency situation right away.

  Second, they want to identify possible hazards and threats to police, fire, and paramedic responders in order to keep them safe.

  Third, they want to determine potential threats to the caller or those at the scene and provide pre-arrival instructions to help ensure the caller’s safety.

  All of this occurs while officers and firefighters are responding to the emergency and receiving updated information from your answers.

• How do I find information about an inmate in jail?

  You can find information about Polk County inmates at the Polk County Sheriff's Office Jail Information Search.

• What should I do If I am involved in a traffic crash?

  If you are involved in a traffic crash you should first stop and check if there are any injuries and then remain at the scene. If possible you should then move the vehicles off the roadway to allow traffic to flow; there is NO law in Florida that prohibits you from moving your vehicle out of the roadway after a crash.

  If the crash involves injury, a drunk driver, a hit and run with suspect information, or if your vehicle is disabled requiring a tow, you need to notify the police immediately. If you are involved in a crash with total damage to any vehicle or other property in an apparent amount of at least $500, there are no injuries, and vehicles are driveable, you are still required to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency.

  If the total damage is less than $500, it is not necessary to report the accident, however, you should exchange driver information among the parties involved in the accident. This information should include; your driver’s license, current vehicle registration and current proof of insurance.

• Does the Police Department do fingerprinting?

  No, the police department only does fingerprinting for City of Lakeland employment.

  The Polk County Sheriff's Office offers this service in Lakeland, Winter Haven and Davenport.

• I am the owner of rental properties. One of my tenants is several months behind in their rent. What is the process to have them evicted?

  In order to evict a tenant for non-payment of rent, you must first serve them with a written notice giving the tenant three (3) days to pay. (Note: The three days do not include weekends and legal holidays.) If at that time the tenant still has not satisfied their obligation, you would file suit through the office of the Clerk of County Court.

  For more information, visit polkcountyclerk.net/landlords-tenants.

• I was the victim of a crime. How do I find out the status of the investigation?

  You should receive a call from the detective assigned to your case and they will be able to provide you with the status. You may also contact the Criminal Investigations Section to make an inquiry at 863.834.8950.

• I have received various phone calls from people representing themselves as law enforcement officers and asking for donations. Are they really officers?

  Lakeland police officers do not solicit money for the department and never make solicitations over the telephone. There are some law enforcement-related agencies such as the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) that solicit donations, but they are not Lakeland Police Officers nor does the money go to the Lakeland Police Department. 

• Can an officer interview my son/daughter at school without notifying the parent or guardian in advance?

  If the child is a suspect in a criminal case, the officer must make every effort to contact the parent or guardian prior to interviewing the child. If the officer cannot make contact with the parent, they can proceed with interviewing your child. It is important that parents keep the “Parent Notification Card” updated with their contact information.
  
  If the child is not a suspect, but the reportee or witness, the officer does not have to contact the parent prior to interviewing the child.

• How do I get a background check on myself for employment purposes?

  The police department only does background checks for City of Lakeland applicants.  
  
  If you wish to get a copy of a criminal history, you must contact FDLE and request this service. FDLE may be contacted via the web at fdle.state.fl.us/cms/home
  
  The FDLE website explains how to obtain a criminal history and the cost for each criminal history requested.

• When do I call 911?

  Any time immediate assistance is needed from the police department or medical personnel. If you see a crime occurring, please call 9-1-1 and do not try to take any action yourself, leave it up to the professionals.

• How do I get a concealed weapons permit?

  For information on obtaining a concealed weapons permit, go to freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Licensing/Concealed-Weapon-License.

• How do I get a copy of an Accident Report?

  Traffic crash accident reports may be requested within 60 days of the accident. You must complete a sworn statement and have it notarized prior to receiving the report.
  
  Click here to download the Sworn Statement.

• How do I find out about the Programs offered by the department?

  Many of our programs are listed in the website under the Community Services Unit. For more information on any of the programs offered by the Lakeland Police Department you can contact the Community Services Unit supervisor at 863.834.6912.

• Will the Lakeland Police Department tow an abandoned car?

  The police department can only have vehicles towed that are on public property. Call a wrecker service in your area and the vehicle will be towed away at no expense to you. The wrecker service will notify the owners once they have determined ownership.